Dear Friends,
President Estrada declared an all out war to the MILF forces in Mindanao. He announced that more troops will be deployed in Lanao to reinforce the existing armed forces. While he was declaring an all out war this Tuesday and telling the people that military solution is the answer to the problems of the Bangsa Moro, howitzer 105 mm bombings in the hinterlands of Kauswagan is simultaneously done causing more tensions to the civilians. The efforts to achieve long-lasting peace in Mindanao seem forsaken.

The humanitarian situation for many citizens (mainly children) of the villages affected by the war is very bad. They have been sheltered in evacuation centers, mainly in and around the city of Iligan. There is lack of medicin, food and the people are traumatized. The local government unit of Iligan is now facing difficulties on the relief goods because of the number of evacuees. We are mobilizing our member organizations to help in the evacuation centers and now we are generating relief assistance for the medical mission because the children who are very vulnerable are sick and need immediate attention.

The so-called 'conflict' between moslims and christians is being blown up which causes incidents all around. President Estrada doesnot use common sense and gives the army all his support in their bombings and other attacks on moslim-areas. Human rights - as always in war - are being violated. We have no exact figures about the people being killed on military and moslim side and among civilians. There are more than 15000 refugees reported today.

We would like to ask your:
- support for the work of the Task Force Civilian Protection (money for medicine and food) Please send your support-messages to lihuk@mozcom.com
and donations to LIHUK-Iligan Inc. Bank Account 1178-00375-2 Far East Bank and Trust Co. Iligan City Branch (US$ account)

- publicity to make these events known to the international community.
Pres. Estrada (Erap) is very sensitive to international pressure. Please forward the address and information of this site to people and organisations you know and to your government and Philippine embassy.

Thank you on behalf of the people affected,
Task Force Civilian Protection

- PRESS STATEMENT of Task Force Civilian Protection (initiative of NGO's and PO's in the province of Lanao del Norte) March 21

- PICTURES taken during relief-missions March 22

- March 17 update

- March 16 update (start of the fightings)

- Link to newspaper articles: www.inquirer.net

Please send your support-messages to lihuk@mozcom.com
and donations to LIHUK-Iligan Inc. Bank Account 1178-00375-2 Far East Bank and Trust Co. Iligan City Branch (US$ account)

Send your opinions to president Estrada (erap@erap.com)